Hey guys. We have been talking about this briefly over in our Vegas thread, but I've got a serious issue with my Tacoma.

My side mirror and grill appear to be melting... Yea, I said melting. It's not even summer yet and hasn't even hit the 110 degree temps. Basically my driver side mirror and grill have been melting. Noticed this about a week ago, then noticed my mirror had the same terrible issue.

I've googled around and it appears it could possibly be energy efficient windows reflecting the sun producing an extra hot reflection (think magnifying glass) and this is an issue for cheap ABS plastic... like what the Tacoma and Prius use. I can't imagine shitty Hyundai's don't have this issue, but my 30k truck would, but what do I know.

Gotta tell ya thats weird as hell, if its from reflective light I'd make sure I parked in the shade, & if not intentional (vandalism) take a good hard look at where you've been parking for an extended time, just seems like if it was from that It'd almost have to be magnified some how to get that hot....just throwing it out there....

Gotta tell ya thats weird as hell, if its from reflective light I'd make sure I parked in the shade, & if not intentional (vandalism) take a good hard look at where you've been parking for an extended time, just seems like if it was from that It'd almost have to be magnified some how to get that hot....just throwing it out there....

This is not vandalism. Why would someone choose to damge something in such an odd and prohibitive way when a key,egg, brick, etc... Is so much faster AND gives the definitive message inherent to vandalism.

This is not vandalism. Why would someone choose to damge something in such an odd and prohibitive way when a key,egg, brick, etc... Is so much faster AND gives the definitive message inherent to vandalism.

the reason I don't think it's vandalism is I live in a really nice gated community, know the people that park near me, and it was the grill first AND then the mirror.

If it was a repeat offender, wouldn't this person come back? I don't know, I really don't know.

C'mon now, you can't be wrapped up in that tight of a cocoon ,shit happens everywhere , what I meant by taking a good hard look at where you're parking maybe sun is hitting some thick glass & reflecting onto your truck at the worst part of the day, for an extended time, maybe a stretch but....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DunhamAll

This is not vandalism. Why would someone choose to damge something in such an odd and prohibitive way when a key,egg, brick, etc... Is so much faster AND gives the definitive message inherent to vandalism.

I don't put anything past anyone, but if it did turn out to be someone fucking with it in what manner its done isn't the issue, the fact that they're doing it at all , is...

Yea 4WD I'm not naive and I don't really trust anyone, but I really don't think it's anyone doing this. Just how I feel.

I'm thinking it's either a chemical in the car wash I've recently been going to (3 times this month) or sun reflecting off of a window. As Homer said, it would have to get extremely hot and be concentrated..

If it is windows doing this. When it gets 110+ in Vegas in 2 months I can only imagine the damage that would do. It's only been 65-80 lately.

I don't put anything past anyone, but if it did turn out to be someone fucking with it in what manner its done isn't the issue, the fact that they're doing it at all , is...

You're missing the point. Vandalism carries a signature with it. Whether that be me spray painting an alleyway giving a message that this is my hood, or keying your car to say F you because we got in an argument. Vandalism, in general, usually carries a message. That message would be missed (re:lost) by melting the OP's mirrors. If it were an act, it doesn't carry the signature of vandalism as it leaves us all questioning what actually caused the problem. Yes, this is a simplified answer, but there is zero logic as to why someone would melt some mirrors over a deliberate and obvious action like throwing a brick through a window.

CNet did an article about energy efficient windows causing the melting of siding on adjacent houses in suburbia. there was also a story floating around about some lady threatening suit because her Prius melted in the same way as OP's from energy efficient windows. (i find this ironic that the go green initiatives are attacking each other!). I'm going with this as the cause, mainly because I can't find my tinfoil hat to put on and start blaming aliens, vandals, and other third parties.